VAI

A piece from VAI (Visual Artists Ireland) about my upcoming solo show in less than 2 weeks

Solace | Derval Freeman at Signal Arts Centre

27 February to 12 March

Opening Reception: Friday 3 March 7pm

Signal Arts Centre is delighted to present ‘Solace, an exhibition of paintings and photography by Derval Freeman.

Derval’s paintings are like pages from the visual diary of her thoughts, feelings and surroundings at a given time. She is drawn to nature and is preoccupied by the philosophy of time and the relevance of our existence. Her work focuses on details in the landscape that give a sense of fragility.

Derval is based in County Wicklow and finds that being surrounded by the forestry’s and vast open mountainous landscapes triggers a strong sense of place. It evokes a wonder that drifts between the relevance of humanity and the purpose of existence. In isolating herself in nature this way a dialogue emerges that has a strong influence on her while painting in the studio. Challenges are mind-based and how the environment is depicted presents an inner challenge to the artistic mind; the painting action is queried: balance, depth, weight and accentuation of each stroke is called into question, namely, ‘is this depiction what I actually want to represent – is it too abstract?’

‘Solace’ is a collection of Derval’s most recent paintings and photography. The work references the open landscape of the Wicklow Mountains and the forests that give her a sense of interior and protective shelter. All give her a sense of belonging and solace.